The C3 Suite

Accelerate CMMC compliance for manufacturers with our comprehensive solutions

Confidently face your CMMC manufacturing assessment with the C3 Suite of IT and compliance services

A prescriptive path to CMMC compliance for manufacturing

Achieving CMMC Level 2 compliance for manufacturing companies is no small feat. On average, it takes 12-18 months to build the technical environment and organizational program needed to meet NIST 800-171 and its 320 assessment objectives required for CMMC manufacturing certification.

That’s why we created the C3 Suite of CMMC manufacturing services and solutions to help manufacturers in the Defense Industrial Base achieve CMMC compliance for manufacturers quickly and confidently. Purpose-built to meet the requirements of CMMC Level 2 for manufacturing operations, both C3 Command and C3 Catalyst take the guesswork out of your CMMC manufacturing compliance efforts.

Your manufacturing compliance. Our commitment.

The C3 Suite

C3 Command

Our most comprehensive CMMC solution does much more than just traditional CMMC consulting services: We address both the technical and non-technical requirements to deliver a complete approach to CMMC compliance. We’ll take responsibility for 80% of all your CMMC Level 2 assessment objectives (including 100% of all IT-related objectives) and support you through the remaining 20%.

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The C3 Suite

C3 Catalyst

Companies rely on C3 Catalyst to balance the compliance assurance of C3’s proven CMMC reference architecture and best-practice-based service model with additional flexibility to support a broader set of client requirements. In addition, C3 offers the option of supporting your 3rd-party compliance partner, or compliance consulting services for clients that need help navigating the assessment process.

With this solution, you can rest easy knowing that we’ll take care of building, maintaining, and updating your C3-managed system for CMMC Compliance.

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Your CMMC Manufacturing Partner

Partnering for manufacturing compliance success

In matters of manufacturing and production, our clients are the experts. But when it comes to IT, cybersecurity, and CMMC compliance for manufacturers, our expertise is second to none.

But CMMC for manufacturing isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey, so whether you already have a trusted compliance partner or need expert guidance, we’ve designed our solutions to limit non-compliance risk while speeding CMMC manufacturing achievement to ensure a smooth path to certification.

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Not sure which CMMC manufacturing solution is right for you? Let’s talk.

Need support outside of CMMC for manufacturing?

C3 offers customized managed services built upon a security-centric architecture and derived from C3’s Reference Architecture for manufacturing clients who need support outside of CMMC-defined boundaries.

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Frequently Asked Questions About CMMC for Manufacturing

What is CMMC manufacturing and why do manufacturers need it?

CMMC manufacturing refers to the cybersecurity certification requirements for manufacturing companies that work with the Department of Defense. Manufacturers need CMMC compliance to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and maintain eligibility for defense contracts.

Which manufacturing companies need CMMC compliance?

Any manufacturing company that handles Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) as part of DoD contracts must achieve CMMC certification. This includes prime contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers throughout the manufacturing supply chain.

What unique challenges do manufacturers face with CMMC compliance?

Manufacturing environments present unique CMMC challenges including legacy industrial control systems, operational technology (OT) networks, shop floor connectivity requirements, and the need to balance cybersecurity with production efficiency and uptime.

How does CMMC affect manufacturing operations and production schedules?

CMMC compliance for manufacturers requires careful planning to avoid disrupting production. Implementation must consider manufacturing schedules, equipment compatibility, network segmentation, and ensuring cybersecurity measures don’t interfere with critical manufacturing processes.

What CMMC level do most manufacturing companies need?

Most manufacturing companies working with DoD contracts need CMMC Level 2 certification, which aligns with NIST SP 800-171 requirements for protecting CUI. The specific level depends on the type of information the manufacturer handles.

Can manufacturing companies implement CMMC without shutting down production?

Yes, experienced CMMC partners can help manufacturers implement compliance measures with minimal production disruption by carefully planning network segmentation, phased implementations, and working around manufacturing schedules.

What manufacturing systems need to be included in CMMC compliance?

CMMC manufacturing compliance must include all systems that process, store, or transmit CUI or FCI. This may include ERP systems, quality management systems, engineering workstations, and any connected manufacturing equipment that handles contract information.

How long does CMMC implementation take for manufacturing companies?

CMMC compliance for manufacturers typically takes 12-18 months, though this can vary based on the complexity of manufacturing operations, existing cybersecurity posture, and the integration requirements with production systems.

What documentation do manufacturing companies need for CMMC assessment?

Manufacturing companies need comprehensive documentation including System Security Plans covering manufacturing environments, network diagrams showing production and IT systems, policies addressing manufacturing-specific risks, and evidence of control implementation across all relevant systems.

Can manufacturing subcontractors and suppliers also need CMMC?

Yes, manufacturing subcontractors and suppliers who handle CUI or FCI as part of DoD contracts must also achieve appropriate CMMC certification. This creates compliance requirements throughout the entire manufacturing supply chain.

How does CMMC affect manufacturing partnerships and vendor relationships?

CMMC manufacturing requirements extend to business partners and vendors who may access or handle contract information. Manufacturing companies must ensure their entire supply chain meets appropriate cybersecurity standards to maintain compliance.

What happens if a manufacturing company loses CMMC certification?

Loss of CMMC certification can result in immediate contract termination, inability to bid on new DoD manufacturing contracts, and potential liability for any security incidents. This makes maintaining continuous compliance critical for manufacturing operations.